Jaffrey

“Our Bodies, Our Planet” talk

The Cutting Edge Forum series will present Valerie Piedmont, executive director of the Sustainability Project, speaking on "Our Bodies, Our Planet—The Human Life Cycle from a Permaculture Perspective." The free talk will be held at the Jaffrey Civic Center Dec. 1 at 2 p.m.

Highlighting emerging concepts of how we can care for the planet by embracing every stage of life from cradle to grave, Piedmont’s talk will cover the social, environmental and resource costs of the current medical system.

“Death for humans is essentially the same biologically disintegrative process that occurs for every living thing. Conceivably, the dying process and death of each one of us could have an impact on the environment equal to that of a tree falling in the forest,” says Piedmont.

She has been living off the grid in the Emerson Brook Forest, Gilsum for more than 30 years, and holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., and an Master’s in Human Services from Keene State College. She is also coproprietor of Green Energy Options, a USA Solar Store in Keene.

The Sustainability Project, a 13-year-old 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, promoting a love of nature, environmental stewardship, caring communities and ways of living that deepen our understanding of the interconnected web of life. Its guiding principle is that diversity, inclusion and compassion are fundamental to the long-term well-being of our planet and its inhabitants. It sponsors The Monadnock Region Permaculture Group, providing a community forum and online calendar of events for Permaculture information and discussion. For more information about permaculture, see www.emersonbrookforest.org/MonadnockPermaculture.html.